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1: Environ Res 1990 Jun;52(1):47-61
- An ecological study on air pollution: changes in annual ring growth of the
Japanese cedar and prevalence of respiratory symptoms in schoolchildren in
Japanese rural districts.
Kagamimori S, Katoh T, Naruse Y, Kakiuchi H, Matsubara I, Kasuya M, Kawano S.
Department of Community Medicine, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University,
Japan.
The effect of air pollution caused by oil-fired electricity-generating stations
on the annual ring growth of the Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica, D. Don)
and prevalence of respiratory symptoms in schoolchildren were investigated. By
retrospective analysis the annual ring growth has been demonstrated to show good
agreement with the general trend in air pollution. In addition it was found to
be related to the prevalence of respiratory symptoms. The reduction in annual
ring growth and increase in the prevalence of respiratory symptoms followed a
deterioration in air pollution. Following upgrading of the power station and an
improvement in air pollution, the annual ring growth and prevalence of
respiratory symptoms showed opposite changes, respectively. Concerning the
latter, the prevalence of wheezing and respiratory symptoms associated with
school absence in schoolchildren with a positive skin test to house dust extract
showed a closer correlation with the annual ring growth when compared with those
who had never had a positive skin test.
PMID: 2351128 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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